1998 Ford Fiesta: common problems and what to check
What gets flagged at MOT on 1998 Ford Fiestas, from 935 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.
What stands out
Parts flagged at MOT more often on 1998 Ford Fiestas than on all cars registered in 1998.
- Suspension arm bushes and joints4.3× usualFord Fiesta21.4% All 1998 cars5%
Failed outright at MOT: 4.5%, against 0.9% of all 1998 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.
- Drive shaft (CV) joints3.6× usualFord Fiesta18.4% All 1998 cars5.1%
Failed outright at MOT: 8.4%, against 2.1% of all 1998 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £60–£350 our estimateAt the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.
- Flexible brake hoses3.3× usualFord Fiesta18.5% All 1998 cars5.6%
Failed outright at MOT: 3.4%, against 1% of all 1998 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £50–£200 our estimateAt the viewing: Look for cracked or bulging rubber hoses behind the wheels and in the engine bay.
- Rust around suspension or steering mountings2.2× usualFord Fiesta17.9% All 1998 cars8.2%
Failed outright at MOT: 10.3%, against 4.3% of all 1998 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £100–£450 our estimateAt the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.
- Number plates2.1× usualFord Fiesta12.1% All 1998 cars5.7%
Failed outright at MOT: 0.9%, against 0.6% of all 1998 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £5–£40 our estimateAt the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.
By area
The share of 1998 Ford Fiesta MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- Suspension55% of testsRough price £120–£400
At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.
- Brakes48% of testsRough price £150–£350
At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.
- Tyres30% of testsRough price £70–£150
At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.
- Lights and electrics26% of testsRough price £10–£80
At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
- Rust and bodywork21% of testsRough price £150–£1,000
At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.
- Driveshafts and joints19% of testsRough price £60–£350
At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.
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Other years
| Year | MOT tests | Most flagged |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1,253 | Tyres 15% |
| 2022 | 23,364 | Tyres 21% |
| 2021 | 25,716 | Tyres 25% |
| 2020 | 46,359 | Tyres 30% |
| 2019 | 78,044 | Tyres 31% |
| 2018 | 92,925 | Tyres 31% |
| 2017 | 89,573 | Tyres 31% |
| 2016 | 112,893 | Suspension 34% |
| 2015 | 123,649 | Suspension 37% |
| 2014 | 120,179 | Suspension 42% |
| 2013 | 109,737 | Suspension 47% |
| 2012 | 95,811 | Suspension 49% |
| 2011 | 81,022 | Suspension 48% |
| 2010 | 81,339 | Suspension 49% |
| 2009 | 84,688 | Suspension 51% |
| 2008 | 48,776 | Suspension 47% |
| 2007 | 43,840 | Lights and electrics 48% |
| 2006 | 34,565 | Suspension 49% |
| 2005 | 20,046 | Suspension 51% |
| 2004 | 16,219 | Suspension 50% |
| 2003 | 12,089 | Brakes 49% |
| 2002 | 5,742 | Suspension 46% |
| 2001 | 2,014 | Suspension 54% |
| 2000 | 1,174 | Suspension 55% |
| 1999 | 1,179 | Suspension 54% |
| 1997 | 430 | Suspension 53% |
| 1996 | 256 | Suspension 42% |
| 1995 | 251 | Brakes 33% |
| 1994 | 163 | Suspension 39% |
| 1993 | 131 | Suspension 34% |
| 1992 | 172 | Brakes 25% |
| 1991 | 278 | Suspension 19% |
| 1990 | 174 | Lights and electrics 22% |
Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 1998 Ford Fiestas registered in 1998. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score